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Black suicide, which was once considered an oxymoron, has become an unfortunate reality. For
more than 35 years, Dr. Alton Kirk has been studying, teaching and researching in the field
of black suicide with the hope of contributing to significantly reduce the number of deaths
by suicide. In this book, Kirk discusses several theories on suicide, as well as examining
the social, economical, religious, political, sociological, psychological, and racial factors
contributing to black suicide. Kirk also includes a unique chapter on survivors -- those who
are left behind after a suicide. Here, you will read what these survivors have to say in their
own words about how the suicide of their loved ones has affected their lives, destroyed their
dreams, and left them in a state of turmoil and pain as they live their lives as survivors of suicide.
EXCERPT FROM ALTON KIRK'S BLACK SUICIDE
FOREWORD
Donna Holland Barnes, PhD
Dr. Alton Kirk�s Black Suicide: The Tragic Reality of America�s Deadliest Secret should be
read by anyone even distantly interested in suicide among the black population. This book is long past
due only because it is a capsule of education on suicide--like a pill�you read and feel much better
about understanding suicide in the African-American communities. Few people understand this
topic better than Dr. Kirk. He is well aware of the history, the present issues, and what lies ahead for
us in this field of suicidology.
Dr. Kirk has been highly published on the topic since the seventies�before the rates of suicide
among African-American males became a public issue and declared a public health problem. In
1975, he presented a paper at the American Association of Suicidology �Black Suicide: Area of
Neglect by Social Scientist.� In the presentation, he outlined the lack of research in this arena, the lack
of concern and the lack of emphasis by major researchers in the field of suicidology. In fact, the
majority of his presentations at major conferences were on the issue of black suicide right up to the
present day. He never lost interest in the subject and kept up with everything written on the topic.
In 1977, Dr. Kirk was one of the first to frame the argument that stress in black males is a correlation
to suicidal behavior, attempts and completions. He argued that many social, physical, political,
economical and psychological forces in the system contribute to stress among black males. These
systemic forces are much more prevalent in black communities.
Dr. Kirk joined organizations that were springing up in the mid nineties and attended the
meetings--specifically Suicide Prevention Action Group (formerly known as Suicide Prevention
Advocacy Group) founded by Jerry and Elsie Weyrauch in Atlanta, Georgia after the lost of their
daughter to suicide. SPAN was one of the first, if not the first, organizations founded by survivors of
suicide where suicide prevention was its primary focus and who made quite an impact on the suicide
prevention movement as we know it today. During a SPAN meeting led by the Weyrauchs and attended
mostly by white families who have lost someone to suicide, Dr. Kirk stood up and asked, �Where are
the black families?� and �Have you reached out to them?� At that time in 1997, Dr. Kirk knew the
rates of suicide among African Americans had increased substantially as mentioned in Chapter 2.
And if the rates increased, why then, was everyone in the room white? What is wrong with this picture?
he said to himself.
About a year later, he attended another national meeting with SPAN. Doris Smith from Atlanta and
I�who both lost sons to suicide�were the only two blacks in the room (we thought). We were sitting
up front as the meeting came to a close. I turned around and noticed a black man in the back
standing up against the wall. I turned and said, �Doris, there is another black in the room� there�s
a black man back there!!!� After the meeting, Doris and I could not wait to meet him and introduce
ourselves so that we could have a good discussion about suicide among African Americans and the
lack of support from other blacks to get involved with suicide prevention and intervention.
Around the same time, the organization of NOPCAS was beginning to form. Dr. Kirk was the
very first one we asked to join our board. He has been with us since 1999 and certainly a strong force
for NOPCAS. Our board is now made up of 18 members nationally with a scientific advisory board
that is also national. I didn�t know how we could organize a national organization whose primary
focus is suicide prevention and intervention among people of color and not have Dr.Kirk onboard.
Because of his strong force and determination to bring attention to suicide among blacks, he was
actually a lone star when it came to evaluating what was written about suicide among African
Americans. In the beginning years of the 70s--not much was written. Kirk had something to say about
all that which was written. He would read it, review it, publish his review, and keep moving. Some of
his reviews were highly critical because the research that was claimed to be conducted was done loosely
or not scientific enough. He got into heated discussions with white researchers who claimed to
know what they were talking about while attending national meetings. Dr. Kirk was being a rebel and
took this position: if you are going to tell the story, tell it right!
Black Suicide: The Tragic Reality of America�s Deadliest Secret by Dr. Alton Kirk tells the story
with more reliability. This book is not based on assumptions. It is based on history, his own research
and true testaments from those who have lost someone to suicide. It�s the stories at the end of the
book that drive it to the home plate. It brings all the statistics and the theories to life.
Donna Holland Barnes, PhD
President and Executive Director
National Organization for People of Color Against Suicide
Washington, DC
http://www.nopcas.com
Download the sample chapter (PDF).
List Price: $19.95 $17.95 *internet discount*
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